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Bench

bench n

1:
the place where a judge sits in court [asked counsel to approach the ] compare bar
, dock
, jury box
, sidebar
, stand2:
the court or system of courts serving an area [the state ] [the federal ] 3 a:
the office of a judge [appointed to the ] b:
the body of persons who hold positions as judges [members of the and bar] compare barc:
a judge or panel of judges hearing a case [unless the lawyer is responding to a question from the "R. H. Bork"]